Soap Making Molds

The shape and color of the soap are the two most important things that determine the appearance of the soap. Funnily shaped soaps on the supermarket shelves always capture our attention. Kids, particularly are attracted to shapes that look different from ordinary. Hence, if you are a soap maker you should always come up with different ideas for soap making. Soap mold making is a large industry and the market is full of different types of molds. Also, you can make your own soap molds, using the ideas discussed below.

Soap Making Molds

Basic Molds
These are easily available at the craft store. They are best suited for you if you are a novice in soap making. These soap molds are mostly made of plastic and are pretty inexpensive. The most common shapes in basic soap molds are round, disc, square, elliptical etc. You may even get some design patterns or words embossed on your soap. Moreover, you can also make soaps out of some uncommon shapes like stars, flowers, hearts which make for perfect homemade gift items.

Silicone Molds
These molds are for those with a professional inclination in soap making. Silicone molds are pretty similar to the material of muffin tins or cake pans. They are flexible and highly durable. Some of these molds can also be used for candle making. There is really no dearth of shapes in silicone molds. From vegetables to dog bones to bride and groom statues, you have multitudinous options to choose from.

Wooden Molds
Wooden molds are best suited, if you want to manufacture soap bars in bulk. You can buy wooden soap making mold or you can even make your own wooden soap mold, if you have the required carpentry skills and tools. Once, your soap mixture has reached the point of saponification, you just need to pour it in wooden mold and let it stay for 24 - 36 hours. After hardening, you will get an over sized soap bar or soap loaf. You need to cut this soap loaf into smaller pieces, to make average sized soap bars. Before packaging, each individual soap bar should be placed on a rack, in open, to ensure proper setting.

How to Make Soap Molds at Home

Making homemade soap molds is a great experience. If you decide on making soaps at home, be assured that you are going to have a lot of fun! Firstly, collect all the soap making materials and make a soap mixture out of this. (I am assuming that you know the process of saponification!)

For homemade molds, you will need a 2 feet long PVC pipe, of desired diameter (about 2-3 inches) Also, try to procure PVC caps which are sold as 'test caps.' These caps fit perfectly on the ends of the pipe and also provide it a flat base to stand on. Regular caps will do, but you will have to prop the pipe on a support. Fit the cap on one end of the pipe and seal it with a tape, so that no fluid leaks out. Pour the soap mixture from the other end, and fix a cap when you are done. Let the pipe stand still for a day or so. When the soap has hardened, take the pipe and place it in a refrigerator for a couple of hours. Then, remove the sealing tape and run it under hot water for about 30 seconds. Prod the soap inside with a blunt object to get it out of the pipe. Let the soap harden for another day before cutting it in round pieces of desired thickness.

Soap making is a great hobby which lets you think out of the box. Using your creativity, you have a wide scope for experimenting, both with shape and size of the soap bar. Once, you get the hold of soap making, you can create your own signature molds, and gift your creation to your near and dear ones!